Can you hear me now, Mr. King?

Dr. Ingrid Mattson is the former president of the Islamic Society of North America (yes president…and a woman) and director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at the Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. She wrote this op-ed for the Huffington Post which was published yesterday.

As she notes, she would have been a valuable witness at Rep. Peter King’s hearing on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response.” Why? Because she is one of the voices Rep. King claims we have not heard – a voice condemning terror in the name of Islam, a voice calling for exploring the roots of so-called home-grown terror, a voice that should have already been heard by those who criticize and fear Muslims.

Just stop for a minute and really listen. You will hear the voices not only of Dr. Mattson, but of the many other individual Muslims and Islamic organizations who have been saying exactly the things King claims American Muslims have not said. It is quite possible that those who demand that Muslims run into the streets waving anti-Al Qaeda banners cannot hear Muslims who are speaking out to condemn terror because they cannot hear over their own voices.

81 Responses

poor ruth. her own family and so called religion wrap her in rags and treat her like a dog. I have 2 dogs and they’re both better looking than ruth. I treat my dogs better than muslims treat their women. Thats why its not a real religion. Islam is a little boy’s fantasy. Mohammed was a hater

Peter King was a supporter of the IRA. There are a lot more lives lost to local terrorists and guns than were ever lost to foreign terrorists. This is what the Republicans really represent – divisiveness among the citizens so they won’t realize the GOP is really creating a greater division of wealth in this country.

@rrr – At least Ruth is willing to associate her real name, and her face, to her writing. Are you willing to do the same? Or is pseudo-anonymous trolling your style?

@Ruth – I wish Rep. King had invited Dr. Mattson to testify at his hearings. As well as other American Muslims who could have educated him (and others) on the issues surrounding radicalization and how to prevent it. Given the few number of actual terrorist attacks in this country (from ALL sources), it seems we in the USofA are doing something right!

However, I think we know that this hearing, like so many others that Congress has held over the years, isn’t about finding out anything – it is about posturing for the cameras, and promoting themselves. If they are serious about getting the budget under control? They could start by cutting out this type of wasteful spending.

For all of you history geniuses who keep on with the McCarthy analogies…history proved that he was right…he was crude but correct. So keep on with the watery eyed liberal bleating. Ruth (what ever her real name is) will keep on baiting people until she learns the definition of “back lash” along with the other muslim anti American misfits. And for all of those who persist in calling Peter King an IRA operative, please educate yourselves … if he were and IRA operative I would be one the first to condemn him…fact is he was a peace maker for Belfast and all of Northern Ireland…so just for once get it right.

@rrr and crcox -how many muslims do you know, speak to on a regular basis or live next door to?? As a non-muslim american I value my experiences with people of different backgrounds. Too bad you can get your head out of your…I mean the sand.

The hearings are little more than a Rovian attempt to divide us even further, political posturing, at a time when we should unite. Now that most people who were alive at the time of the McCarthy hearings and the forced internment of Japanese Americans have passed on, we are stupidly repeating our past mistakes. Few of us remember the damage that was caused to our nation. Torches and pitchforks.

Get a grip people. The purpose of these hearings is not to vilify the Muslim community. The purpose is to address the increase in radicalization of American Muslims. Why are the religious so quick to scream about perceived persecution yet they take issue when groups they openly persecute speak out? Hypocrisy, you bet.

A few years ago I knew a retired Merchant Marine Capt. He spent many many years traveling to the middle east. He used to tell us just how much these Muslims HATED the United States and the American people. Actually, I didn’t pay much attention to him. Also a few years ago a family from Indonesia moved into our neighborhood. We became friends and again they often told us just how much the Muslims HATED the United States and the American people. My daughters college roommate was from India and often she and her friends told my daughter that the Muslims HATED America and her people. At the time I’m not sure I really listened to these folks or paid much attention to what they had to say regarding Muslims. But I’m beginning to believe the Muslims do hate us and want to move in so they can move us out.

Dare I say it yet AGAIN here on this blog. Yes, run into the street and scream at the top of your lungs against these crackpots that are stealing and tarnishing your religion. Defend your cause. The blacks have done it. The gays have done it. The feminists have done it. The pro choice and pro lifers have done it. The Tea Party has done it. DO IT! If you think such grave ‘injustices’ are being levied against your faith, in this greatest of countries, then stand to your convictions and denounce those that are ruining your faith and making your life here intolerable. Let the rest of America see for themselves that you are Americans FIRST, then Muslim. Or are you? Your silence is deafening.

Peter King – the man who spoke for the Muslim community in the 1990s before he was against it. The same man who compared IRA leader Gerry Adams to George Washington. Stayed with Michael McKevitt in Ireland, the same person who worked with Qaddafi to smuggle arms into Ireland. Supported Pol Brennan when he was arrested here in Texas, an illegal immigrant and fugitive from British justice.

If he wants a hearing, why not choose the American Taliban? The folks who fight against legal abortion, women’s rights, child labor laws, blow up government buildings, bomb clinics, and claim that the US was founded on Christianity. They sure know how to select only those biblical passages they agree with.

Why do not American Caucasian Christian men ever have their civil rights protected? The racial, gender, and religious hypocrisy in this Nation is GLARING. We never hear Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton fighting for anyone’s civil rights except one specific group. That ain’t civil rights protection; that is special interest group protests, as civil rights protection is guaranteed under The United States Constitution for ALL Americans. The term has been hijacked by the looks of it these past 50 years.

“You have no right to demand that we denounce things we are not responsible for.”

What is so strange about denouncing something you did not create? Actaully, isn’t that the norm? It would be silly to protest something you are presponsible for. Muslim terrorists have high jacked your religion and it is affecting you PERSONALLY. DENOUNCE IT! You seem to be an expert on RIGHTS but it’s the people you protect that want to take them from you. Not Peter King.

That’s ok ladies soon you will be wearing the burka and be happy about it also. What? The only reason you are not now is because WE let you go without. But feel assured that we can put you into servitude just like the muslims any time we want to and there is nothing you can do about it. Is islam great or what?!?!

You know what people, there comes a point to where we have to say “enough is ENOUGH”! ALL these Muslim Americans (AND American Muslims)who do NOT understand WHY Rep. King is doing this must not understand the word “SECURITY”. It is a KNOWN FACT that CERTAIN Muslim and Islamist GROUPS have DECLARED JIHAD on US INFIDELS! IF I TELL YOU that I am GOING TO KILL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY and REMOVE YOUR PEOPLES FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH should YOU NOT be concerned about my BROTHERS INTENTIONS and of those of the people I hang out with? OF COURSE YOU WOULD BE! The ONLY thing Rep. King wants done is to FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROTECT US FROM THOSE WHO DEEM TO WIPE US OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH! IF you are NOT an EXTREMIST or RADICALIZED MUSLIM or ISLAMIST then WHY are you CONCERNED? Are YOU HIDING SOMETHING?

Hi Ruth. I am one of those people who really do not want to profile Muslims. Just the same I cannot ignore the fact that almost everytime our society is attacked in the name of religion these days, it has a muslim origin-or at least a tie-in. So, throw me a bone here and tell me what the average muslim is doing to root out, what they say, (and I believe) a small faction of radicals is doing to tarnish you all by their actions.

King is the true terrorist here. He artificially creates a climate of fear to manipulate the public, or at the very least, his target audience. No one should listen to him, as he isn’t telling the truth… I’ve heard many, many Muslims speak out against violence. Many, many times. Apparently, some people are incapable of hearing those words. Good article Ruth. Keep up the good work.

@Flexible Atheist: You say we need to get a grip and that “The purpose is to address the increase in radicalization of American Muslims.”? This is a case of circular reasoning. You ASSUME that it’s OK to have a hearing based on the ASSUMPTION that there has been an “increase in radicalization…” But your argument is based entirely on an assumption, not a fact – and therefore is false (a logical fallacy). First, prove the increase, then you might have a point. We might as well replace the word “Muslim” with “Christian” in your post – it works either way. Or rather, doesn’t work. Frankly, your position is absurd and offensive to thinking individuals. I am far more fearful of illogical behavior than I am of any so-called “terrorist”. This is the same slippery slope the Nazis went down. Read some history.

How hyprocritical of you! All the stupid things you said about other terrorist groups praising them and even equating them to George Washington! Now you have the nerve to label people with labels that best fit you. We are American Muslims or Muslim Americans (or whatever word combination you would like to use) with rights and duties, we obey the law, we pay our taxes and contribute to our beloved nation in 1001 ways. And guess what, we are here to stay, deal with it.

History has shown that Joe McCarthy was spot on. Every person he accused of being a communist agent for Russian was proven to be an agent. Liberals just hate it when the truth proves them wrong. And they are wrong about muslims.

You have no right to demand that we denounce things we are not responsible for.

Posted by: Ruth Nasrullah at March 11, 2011 11:08 PM

===================

I beg to differ…..if some nut job commits an act of terrorism in the name of a Muslim religion, as a Muslim….you should be the first one to denounce it. We SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO ASK how you feel about it! Just like the United States government was expected to denounce and apologize for the treatment of Muslim prisoners in Abhu Grabe (sp?)….just like the U.S. is expected to denounce and apologize for civilian deaths due to errant missiles, or when a soldier accidentally kills or injurs a civilian. Don’t you think that it is right to expect the leaders of the country (or religion) to denounce and apologize for heinous acts by members of the military (or radicals)? Didn’t the Pope come out and apologize for lots of things that priests have done over the years? If the Muslims are going to continue to demand apologies from Western entities for every perceived offense, then it is logical to expect the West to demand apologies and denouncing of heinous acts from Muslim leaders when radicals commit them in the name of their religion. The lack of (vocal and visible) denouncing by the Muslim leaders can be construed to be support of those acts. And that isn’t even getting into the reason put forth by Mr. King for the hearing….to explore ways to improve the relationship and cooperation between Muslims and law enforcement…..so, by your speaking out against the hearings, it isn’t hard to conclude that you are against improving the relationship and cooperation between the Muslim community and law enforcement. Or, are you simply against someone outside the Muslim community leading the effort? If an Imam had organized a conference to improve the relationship and cooperation of Muslims with law enforcement, what would your blog say about that?

Until Muslim women are free to take of their goofy head-dress/garb, they are not fully Americans. Name another “minority” which clings to such foreign traditions. It’s patently obvious Muslims want to remain Muslim-first, not American first!

Thank you Ruth (which is her real name) for bringing to light what we, American Muslims, have been trying to get across to neighbors,co-workers, our congressional representatives, and anyone who would listen that the Muslim community has ALWAYS spoken out against any act of terror against any people. We are just not newsworthy enough to be heard or other so-called experts (mostly Islamophobes with no experience and only hate to back their statements) have drowned us out because many uneducated Americans (not all, thank God!) are so ready to believe the worst about us (the unknown) and are not capable of learning the truth about Islam, Muslims, Shariah law, and anything else connected to the Muslim community. Like Ruth, I was born and raised here in the US and thank God, the US provides us with the freedom of choice for religion! I reverted to Islam, a religion that freed me from my step-father’s cruel & abusive treatment claiming that Christianity gave him that right to treat my sister and I as his property to recognizing that I had rights to my own welfare, can keep any money that I earn, and can speak out if I am being mistreated or my rights are being stepped on in Islam. As an American Muslimah (female Muslim), like Ruth, I cover or wear the headscarf (hijab) and long skirts or robes(abiyyah). I don’t need or want your pity for dressing modestly. I am happy not to show my form to the gawkers and people who have no right to see what is personally my own business, and proud that I am the ultimate feminist, because you must deal with my words and actions-my mind, and not judge me by fashion, hairstyle, or body shape that is determined in the US and elsewhere by men. My conviction is to please God, not man- so I dress, like Ruth, modestly and you are offended by a piece of cloth? Again, America is the country that I love because I have the freedom to dress this way. However, Representative King is dividing our beautiful country by trying to hold our Muslim community to a higher standard of scrutiny. If you look at the statistics, 77 of the last home-grown terrorist plots against the US were NOT by Muslims and 7 out of 10 terrorist plots planned by Al Queda were STOPPED by Muslims! I realize that the Muslim community is afraid to try to get out and know their neighbors but I implore all Muslims to join interfaith groups to learn about your neighbors and so your neighbors can learn the truth about you and Islam. This is the only way we will be able to lessen the hate and irrational fear we struggle with daily.

Why do Muslims not protest in the streets, as they are doing now over a simple hearing, when a radical commits murder in the name of Allah every single day. Mr. King is right to hold a hearing. Were you protesting in the street when Barry and his incompetent HSS labeled troops returning from Iraq as terrorists? I thought so.

Why are there so many foreign born muslims in the US? Our society is founded on a system of laws and culture that is in direct opposition to Islam. For those muslims seeking to live under sharia, We are the “great satan,” an ally of Isreal, and we spring from Christian origins. Why do so many muslims move to a non-islamic country? The simplest explanation to the influx of muslims in the US is a plan to bring sharia to our country. This is consistent with the muslim faith and is underway in Europe. If we pass laws to prevent the underminimg and eventual downfall of our country as a free democratic republic, that seems to make sense (for us).

Miss Ruth…if I may comment as per your comment…yes the groups I mentioned did protest and voice concerns for their civil rights. Exactly! The American people are a fair people and if the cause is just ( or in this case the mindset), the country will come together to support it. For you to say that those of you within your faith can not or should not denounce the lunatic fringe that exsists within your religion is pure denial. To paraphrase you. The majority of the American public see you as ‘liars’ and ‘whiners’ BECAUSE of your collective silence. I would love to relate an experience that happened to me just a few days ago, actually concerning this blog.

Thanks RUTH. While I am not opposed to Congressional hearings which investigate increased radicalization of a group that potentially poses a threat to US security, I am adamantly opposed to hearings which focus unnecessarily on one group while ignoring others (ie., April 2009 DHS report on the increased threat of Rightwing extemism).

These hearings are clearly red meat being thrown to the GOP base for political purposes… why else would such hearing be held publicly (?!?), narrowly focused on one group of people without even considering others, and without proper representation from all sides of the issue?

I am sorry Ruth, if you and your friend are speaking out against Mulim terrorists, your behavior speaks so loud I can’t hear what you are saying. Why doesn’t the Muslim community step up to the plate and do something, then Mr. Kings hearings would not be necessary.

A note regarding the link that Russel put to a video – I only had time to watch a minute or two of it, so I can’t vouch for its content. Please be forewarned if there is violence or bad language in it. (I try to screen every link a reader posts.)

It’s quite ironic that on this post there are comments calling for Muslims to denounce terror.

I denounce terror. I denounce violence. I denounce terrorism and violence committed in the name of Islam, committed for the sake of other philosophies, religion or ideologies, and terrorism and violence committed for no reason at all.

Who’s next? Are there any non-Muslims out there who would like to denounce violence? Anyone who would like to apologize for abuse or violence they have committed, or which they were aware of but did nothing about? Anyone who would like to denounce the KKK? Anyone who would like to denounce mass murderers who kill for values they believe are moral?

Anyone who would like to denounce Catholic priests who have sexually abused children? No? Aren’t all Catholics responsible for speaking out against such abuse? Does that not make sense according to some readers’ logic?

I don’t know any terrorists and I don’t know anyone who seems to be a potential threat to this country, but if I did I would contact the authorities regarding them. That goes for Muslims and non-Muslims. I’m not responsible for rooting out potential terrorists – that’s the job of law enforcement, and I am happy to work with them in any way that is feasible and appropriate.

4. I have no control over other Muslims, I will not allow myself to be questioned about why this Muslim or that Muslim did that. ” I don’t know”..

I will remind myself at all times I am a Muslim, I serve Allah above everything in my life. I am not a American Muslim. I am a “Muslim”.

Does a Christian in the US say “American Christian”?? No.

I have been a Muslim less then a year, and in that short time I am sick of defending myself & my faith. I will not say sorry for any aspect of Islam. or for anything done in the name of Islam by others. I dont care at all if your Christian or Jew, and you think I’m un-American for being Muslim. Who are you to me??? nothing. I had my own family at first attack me for being Muslim, why should I care about strangers. As for Rep. King. I would say to him stop sending FBI agents to spy on Muslims in our Mosque, or putting GPS tracking bugs on our cars, and you might get more trust. tell then K.M.A.

With that said I love America as long as she is true to what she stands for “freedom”. I do not hide the Fact im Muslim over American. If you are a person of faith you should be. If you are a Christian and you put country over Jesus (pbuh) or God, then you are not a good Christian.

Small suggestion; Get all you Muslim associates together and form an organization that denounces the radical element and contact All news agencies, including al-Jazeera and have them publish your beliefs.

“I beg to differ…..if some nut job commits an act of terrorism in the name of a Muslim religion, as a Muslim….you should be the first one to denounce it. We SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO ASK how you feel about it!” Etc, Etc…

You are correct in the fact “We SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE TO ASK how you feel about it!” Because Its a stupid question in the first place, asking a fellow American how they feel about people getting killed?? Its sad.. But why does every Joe six pack feel like a Muslim must tell him to his face “sorry”. For what?? For being a Muslim?? Or that we must keep saying sorry over and over again. Why?? I would say this to my Muslim brothers & sisters. Stop saying sorry. It’s done. The people that dont like us are not going to like us cause we say “sorry”. all it does is feed there ego. As long as we are saying sorry we are on the defence. It is said that Islam is a religion of Peace, a wise sister told me that Islam is a religion of justice. Justice has been served, and I will not pay for something I did not do. Insha Allah. AllahuAkbar.

by treating Muslims different , you encourage jihad..exactly one of the characteristics of suicide attacks..It’s almost ten years now and the hateful rhetoric and suspicions have not ended.. ..

This whole thing could end swiftly though if every pretend Christian and every Muslim converted to Christ..the only problem is though, that every pretend Christian knows he’s not real but can’t accept that as a fact..

@m9777- Really? You can tell me or anyone how to dress in America? Yeah, those nuns in habits are obviously clinging to”foreign” cultural ideas as well. And let’s not forget that Paul in Corithians tell Christian woman that their heads must be covered in submission to their husbands (& Christian women are not allowed to speak out in their churches). I take devotion to God over you or any man’s whims or deluded ideas of correctness in dress.

@jgolf_99: You’re not paying attention, Ruth,most Muslims, and I are NOT against improving relationships with law enforcement. I just don’t appreciate a wake up call at 3am for their questions or the tag-alongs to my grocery-shopping. I think tax dollars are being wasted on these incidents meant to intimidate the Muslim community and would rather the money was spent for better improvement or training to learn how to develop trust on both sides-if money had to be spent. You do know that the FBI came out with a report that their attempts to “plant” ‘fake radical Muslims’ in our masjids are failing miserably because these ‘fake Muslims’ get kicked out of the masids or even restraining orders against them for having violent views counter to mainstream Islam, right?

@Peter- I was teaching at an Islamic Elementary School on 9/11/01 where very quickly we began to get death threats phoned in to the point where we had to turn off the phones and concentrate on the safety of our young students and try to get them home quickly and safely. My drive home was one I never forget, already heart-broken over the loss of so many innocent lives, but very anxious as I had my young daughters lay down in the car hoping that peoples’ spitting & cursing at us would not lead to escalated violence. Just as April 20, 1995 never leaves my mind, the Friday after the Oklahoma Federal Building was bombed and a “nut-job” tried to run my van with my mother (non-Muslim) and young children off the road. That was the day that I learned I was not considered an American because I didn’t choose the “popular” religion.

@Achmed and @Ruth: I understand that it seems highly unfair to have to keep apologizing for acts of violence I didn’t do or would never think of doing. But who is listening to these words? No one. Even the Qur’an tells us that if we were to become like them (people of other faiths-Christian, Jewish, etc.) they will NEVER accept us and always mistrust us. So it is better for us to be the best Muslims that we can be. We need to be a living example of living in submission to God that asks us to be good to our neighbors and speak up against any injustice that we see, be it our family or community member who commits the injustice. Peace be with you all.

Many attacks have been averted due to information provided to authorities by AMERICAN MUSLIMS. Many of us realize & appreciate that. Many MILLIONS of Muslims were seen celebrating the horrendous loss of life on 9-11. Both of those statements are undeniable TRUTH. As is the statement that the radicalization of Muslims is happening here, & now. In all likelihood the absence of an invitation to Kings summit was the realization that denial of a problem doesn’t contribute to a solution to that problem. It can only waste time & effort better used to FIND a solution to that problem. I, WE are getting tired of the claims that Muslims are being persecuted here. We have grandmothers of EVERY race, religion, political persuasion being scanned, searched & otherwise detained, at THEIR inconvenience, when we ALL know the main threat comes from Muslims. We have bent over backwards to accommodate the Muslim population as a whole & are TIRED of the whining. I find you no less offensive than you find me.

We lost nearly 2000 Americans due to Hurricane Katrina… basically 2/3 the number lost on 09/11.

We don’t stop what we’re doing to commemorate the anniversary nationwide.

We didn’t create dozens of national task forces and spend over $380,000,000,000 to root out of the cause.

Oh wait! King isn’t going to worry about that because there’s no cute pin to wear to capture the spirit of it.

And, I’d bet that Rep. King was indifferent when all those other groups spoke out to try to get treated like human beings… and yet he wants say these people need to speak out more.

Yes, I played the Katrina card.

______________

Did this clown REALLY just compare a natural disaster to human terrorist activity? Did he really just ask why we didnt form a federal task force to stop hurricanes? Where do these people come from? Mars?!?! This site really draws out the whakos

I think most of us get tired of watching large mobs of Muslims band togather in the streets at the drop of a hat to protest America and how unfair she treats you. We KNOW they can form masses of hysteria to burn GWB dolls and American flags in the streets within HOURS because someone drew a cartoon of Allah. But we see NOTHING like this when Muslim extremists send in bomb strapped retarded children to blow up wedding parties.

Where and how, exactly, has it been proven that Sen McCarthy was “right”, and to what outcome ? ? (verifiable data please, not opinion & made-up stuff)

As for Muslim-Americans denouncing terrorism – I agree – they should (and do!)! And I’m certain that shortly the Italian-American community will be rounding up the Gambino family and turning them over to the law . . . (with apologies to Jon Stewart)

The hearings are about radical Islam, not Islam in toto. Speak up, Ruth, against radicals and terrorists. Don’t try to sell anyone that Islam is misunderstood. We’re talking about radicals terrorists, and they are not misunderstood. They are perfectly understood. Muslims keep retreating into this “misunderstood” canard when part of the misunderstanding is that even nice looking Muslims like you, Ruth, defend sharia law that terrorists use as an excuse to kill innocent people. Maybe you are understand perfectly after all, and like the snake in Aesop’s fable, you will bite those of us who take you in and warm you and care for you. Maybe it’s just your nature.

The cries of the persecuted Jews Hindus, and Christians in Iraq, Iran, Egypt, and Pakistan drown out any testimony from Muslims Phase 1 Jihading (proselytizing) in the USA could provide the King hearings.

McCarthy was right: there were communist spies within our government. The Mitrokhin Archive, released after the USSR fell, goes into great detail about the extent of KGB penetrations in the US government, media and industry. Ask any FBI or intelligence worker about the Hamas and Hezbollah fundraising operations in the Chimney Rock area. All those auto repair places aren’t just fixing cars. Radical Islam is a real threat, to believe otherwise is to be naive. Don’t let hatred of Republicans blind you to the real threats facing the world.

I don’t hear the voices of too many “moderate” Muslims, Ruth. The Islamic Society of North America???? This is the same organization that raises money for Hamas. The group that is also trying to shove Sharia Law down the throats of Americans….please! It’s sad the Chronicle gives you a forum.

Here ya go Ruth!..Another one of your “peaceful” bretheren at it again. Took out an entire family this time. wohttp://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/03/12/family-slaughtered-by-palestinians/?test=latestnews

I just don’t see Christians, Jews, or Buddhists committing sickening acts to this degree or this frequently.

If I were a Christian, and a believer in God’s word and the teachings of Christ, why in God’s name would I have any problem whatsoever denouncing any and all atrocities performed by other Christians? Or denouncing any fanatical misinterpretations of the Christian theocracy?

If I were a follower of Islam, why in the name of Allah would I have any problems whatsoever denouncing any and all atrocities performed by other Muslims? Or denouncing any fanatical misinterpretations of the Islamic theocracy?

True believers of both religions know that GOD the creator knows who is right and who is wrong. It is we mere humans that get it all messed up by inaccurate thinking. Christians have fought Christians for centuries; Muslims have fought Muslims for centuries. And of course, Christians and Muslims are always been at odds, as much now as ever.

The point I’m trying to make is, that if anyone finds out that John and his stupid friends do anything physically harmful to Ahmed and his friends because they like to kneel on a rug and pray toward Mecca, then Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and everyone else on the planet should stand against John and his stupid friends.

No one should have to “apologize” for John and his friends. But for someone to refuse to take a stand against them simply because they share a religion is not only wrong, but could be somewhat worthy of suspicion.

Here is the problem. Most American have not heard anything from the Muslim world condemning the terrorists. I do see that there now is a commercial on TV doing it and that is very good, but it is also very late.

Secondly the commission in this is not conducting itself against Muslims, but against those Muslims who would harm this nation so what they are doing is good.

Here’s the thing: If you hate America and don’t like American policies, go live in some country you don’t hate. I’m fed up with hyphenated Americans. You are either an American or you’re not. If you have to hyphenate your name, GO HOME!

Ruth has herself given the exact, precise reason for the hearings in one of her little fits. Here is the quote:”You have no right to demand that we denounce things we are not responsible for.”

We do demand that the entire muslim community denounce terrorism, murder and any other odious behavior particularly when committed by people of your “community”…that is what citizenship is all about. It is very curious that your religious conversion has removed your civic responsibility. Will you ever be able to see what worries us about your community?

Ruth, you and all Muslims need to spend more time condemning these acts of violence and terror committed by members of your faith and less time talking about the few voices in the wilderness who actually do the condemning. Perhaps then, this perception of implicit approval will go away.